Equine Joint Supplements

With almost a million horses in the UK, and owners spending around £35 million per year on neutraceutical products, the UK equine joint supplement market is immense. This huge range of products, generally marketed to treat or prevent arthritis, can be confusing enough, but the lack of information on ingredients, their quantities, and their safety can muddy the waters still further. Even in the case of products that make claims regarding their constituents this can be misleading – one study showed that 40% of equine joint supplements failed to meet label claims for glucosamine.

The way in which many of the constituents of joint supplements work is not fully known or is unproven in horses. Although the list below is by no means exhaustive, the majority of neutraceutical joint supplements used in horses contain a combination of the following:

Glucosamine

Glucosamine comes in a number of forms, with glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl) considered optimum. It is a substance that is thought to help reduce cartilage degradation and may also reduce inflammation within joints.

Chondroitin

Chondroitin sulphate accumulates within joints following prolonged administration (60 days or more) where it appears to exert anti-inflammatory effects.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

HA is frequently used as an injection into joints or the bloodstream of horses to assist with treatment of joint disease and improvement of lameness. Whilst HA is an integral component of cartilage as well as joint fluid its bioavailability is unproven and there is no convincing evidence that oral administration is of significant benefit.

MSM

Whilst MSM has been demonstrated to have anti-arthritic properties in mice and is widely used in joint supplements there is so far no evidence to support its use in cases of equine joint disease.

Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU)

Oils extracted from avocado and soybean have been shown to reduce cartilage erosion in horses, having a positive effect on joints. Despite this there is little evidence that they actually reduce the degree of lameness exhibited.

Boswellia

The plant extract boswellia has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect within joints and may help to protect cartilage. Again, there is a lack of convincing evidence to support these claims for equine use.

Epiitalis

A patented plant extract, this product has shown great potential in experimaental studies and is very popular in overseas markets where it has been available for some time.

Veterinary Branded Supplements

These supplements are usually a combination of several of the above products. They are selected by the veterinary practices based on what they believe will work in the majority of cases and ingredients are selected based on a guarantee of their purity and their concentration.

This extensive range of variably priced products may not always contain what the label claims. As joint supplements are classed as neutraceuticals they do not have to undergo the rigorous testing and analysis required from prescription medications. In fact the FEI have issued a statement warning against feeding any neutraceutical where there can be any doubt regarding the ingredients within. Generally speaking, reputable brands should be used to ensure a good quality product. You should discuss the goals of treatment with your vet who can help guide you to make the correct choice both for yourself and for your horse.

Most joint supplements are aimed at horses diagnosed with arthritis, either as a sole treatment or as an adjunct to other treatments.

Veterinary practice’s own branded product will contain the balance of supplements your vet feels will be most beneficial.